VOA标准英语2011--Berlusconi Resigns, Ending Scandal-Plagued Era

Berlusconi Resigns, Ending Scandal-Plagued Era

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has become the latest victim of the euro debt crisis. He was forced to resign Saturday, after a week that saw him lose his majority in parliament.

A large crowd had already gathered outside Rome’s presidential palace when Mr. Berlusconi’s motorcade arrived.

He was given a hostile reception. The crowd shouted insults - calling him a buffoon¹ and a Mafioso - and demanded his resignation.

They didn’t have long to wait.

Mr Berlusconi’s meeting with President Napolitano lasted just over an hour.

News spread fast across Italy of the Prime Minister’s resignation.

The party began. Champagne² corks³ were popped; people broke into dance; the square became a sea of Italian flags.

One man echoed many in the crowd - saying we are free, we are finally free.

Many others made fun of the allegations that Mr Berlusconi held so-called ‘bunga bunga’ parties with underage girls.

Former European Commissioner⁴ Mario Monti looks set to gain the president’s approval as a new technocrat⁵ prime minister. His responsibility will be to stabilise the economy so elections can be held, likely early next year.

Local media say Berlusconi had met Monti for a 2-hour lunch and agreed to back him as Italy’s new leader.

Rome buzzed with the news that Mr Berlusconi had just hours left in office.

Resident Sandro Falbo was among the crowd outside parliament. “I’m so happy because if seems as though Italy has lost its moral sense in recent years,” he said. “Italy’s completely divided and we don’t trust each other. I hope people rediscover the sense of society, to trust each other again.”

Italy is under pressure from European partners to name a new leader before markets open on Monday.

Political analyst⁶ Claudio Borghi says Mario Monti would have international approval. “He is very prepared, very fit for the role. He knows very well the euro economics because he served two terms as European Commissioner. The thing that people here in Italy won’t like is that he’s not elected," he said.

That may prove key for the future of a Monti-led government as it tries to implement⁷ a 60-billion euro austerity package.

In the space of four days, Europe’s debt crisis has forced the leaders of Greece and now Italy from power. Yet many analysts⁸ say it’s not certain whether such upheaval⁹ will be enough to save the euro currency.

1 buffoon   

n.演出时的丑角

参考例句：

• They pictured their manager as a buffoon.他们把经理描绘成一个小丑。
• That politician acted like a buffoon during that debate.这个政客在那场辩论中真是丑态百出。

2 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。

3 corks   

n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞

参考例句：

• Champagne corks were popping throughout the celebrations. 庆祝会上开香槟酒瓶塞的砰砰声不绝於耳。 来自辞典例句
• Champagne corks popped, and on lace tablecloths seven-course dinners were laid. 桌上铺着带装饰图案的网织的桌布，上面是七道菜的晚餐。 来自飘（部分）

4 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

5 technocrat   

n.技术人员，技术官僚

参考例句：

• He is a distant technocrat who is unable to connect with ordinary voters.作为一个冷淡的技术官僚，他不能做到与普通选民息息相通。
• Jack Lew,the new budget director,is the quintessential technocrat.新预算主管杰克·卢就是一个典型的技术官僚。

6 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

7 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

8 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

9 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。